Leon Wobschall

UWE ROSLER admits he could not comprehend why his Leeds United side were controversially denied a goal early in the second half - which he felt was a game-turning moment in their 3-0 loss at Middlesbrough.

Controversy reined when United, 2-0 down at the interval, were denied a way back after Mirco Antenucci netted after a Gaetano Berardi shot was diverted towards him.

After consulting with a linesman, who did not raise a flag, Neil Swarbrick disallowed the goal, with replays showing Antenucci was onside.

That said, Rosler admitted that United pay the penalty for gifting the high-flying hosts two clear goals, with Giuseppe Bellusci putting through his own net on 33 minutes after David Nugent gave Boro an early lead.

Boro sealed it in the final ten minutes when sub Diego Fabbrini netted after racing clear on goal following a horror slip by Sol Bamba.

Rosler, who said that Chris Wood will be back in the fray in the ‘near future’ after not travelling to Teesside due to a knock, said: “We were right in the game and there was nothing between the teams and in the second half, we were quite clearly on top and then a major decision went against us.

“(Cristhian) Stuani should not have been on the pitch and the goal situation was a goal.

“The linesman asked for help from the referee and they didn’t know what was going on and the decision handled in favour of Middlesbrough was wrong. And the referee got the decisions wrong today.

“I didn’t think it was offside and don’t know why he didn’t give it.

“We participated in a game which was very nice to watch and we played our part against the best team in the league. But we lost 3-0 and we learn the lesson out of this.

“There were very effective.”

Rosler’s counterpart Aitor Karanka said: “The main thing is the points as we didn’t play really well.

“It was a tough game against a good team and a very good manager. When they scored, it could have changed the game.